Director – Origination
Location: LondonSector: Special Situations / Asset-Backed Investments / Real Estate Credit & EquityCompensation: Highly Competitive + Bonus
About the Opportunity
We are partnering with a highly entrepreneurial and well-capitalised European investment platform focused on mid‑market, complex and special situations opportunities across debt and equity. The firm invests across the capital structure with a particular focus on asset‑backed opportunities, real‑estate‑backed transactions, stressed / dislocated situations, and operational turnarounds across the UK and wider Europe. The business has built a strong track record deploying flexible capital into situations requiring speed, creativity and certainty of execution. (Zetland Capital)
As part of its continued growth, the firm is seeking to appoint a Director – Origination to help source, structure and execute new investment opportunities across Europe, with a particular emphasis on sponsor‑led, proprietary and off‑market situations.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercially minded originator to join a nimble, high‑performing platform where individuals can make a direct impact on deal flow and investment outcomes.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Partners / Investment Committee, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading origination activity across targeted sectors and geographies.
Key Responsibilities
Originate new investment opportunities across special situations, real estate‑backed credit, structured capital and opportunistic equity transactions.
Build and maintain relationships with:
Sponsors / private equity firms
Borrowers / owner‑operators
Advisers (debt brokers, investment banks, lawyers, accountants)
Banks, alternative lenders and restructuring professionals
Source proprietary and limited‑auction opportunities across the UK and Europe.
Assess transactions at a high level and determine strategic fit, downside protection and execution pathway.
Work closely with investment and underwriting teams to progress live opportunities through diligence and committee approval.
Lead commercial negotiations including term sheets, exclusivity processes and financing structures.
Maintain detailed pipeline reporting for senior management.
Represent the firm externally across the market and at industry events.
Help shape sector strategy and new market penetration initiatives.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are seeking a senior, relationship-driven investment professional with an established track record in origination and execution.
Likely Backgrounds Include
Private credit / direct lending funds
Special situations / opportunistic investment firms
Real estate private equity platforms
Investment banking / structured finance / debt advisory
Alternative lenders / asset-backed capital providers
Experience Required
10+ years’ relevant experience in principal investing, lending, advisory or acquisitions.
Demonstrable track record originating and closing transactions in the £50m–£500m+ range.
Strong network across UK and European sponsors, lenders, advisers and intermediaries.
Experience across one or more of:
Real estate‑backed lending
Corporate carve‑outs / stressed situations
Operational turnarounds
Structured equity / preferred equity / rescue capital
Platform or portfolio acquisitions
Strong commercial judgement with the ability to quickly assess risk / reward.
Highly numerate and comfortable discussing underwriting, structuring and downside cases.
Cross‑border transaction experience across Continental Europe strongly preferred.
Additional European language skills advantageous.
Highly Relevant Candidate Profile
The ideal individual may currently be operating in a Director / Senior VP capacity and have experience such as:
Deep exposure to living sectors, operational real estate, asset‑backed platforms or complex corporate situations.
Strong lender relationships and prior responsibility for debt sourcing / capital markets processes.
Experience presenting to Investment Committees and working directly with senior stakeholders.
Ability to combine relationship‑led origination with hands‑on execution discipline.
Why Join?
High‑profile and well‑capitalised investment platform.
Genuine autonomy and visibility with senior leadership.
Broad mandate across debt and equity.
Ability to lead transactions rather than simply originate leads.
Strong compensation upside including discretionary bonus and long‑term incentive potential.
Entrepreneurial culture with meritocratic progression.
To Apply
Please submit your CV in confidence. All discussions will be handled with strict discretion.
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